Fitness-focused getaways let you embrace the cold

Courtesy photoA couple skis along a Nordic trail at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. The resort has 40 kilometers of cross-country ski trails and hosts the Women's Winter Tour on Feb. 5-6.

OK, you’ve been over-indulging all through the holidays and need a little push to get your healthy habits kick-started. Perhaps you’ve wanted to get back into — or try out — a new snow sport. Now’s the time for a fitness-focused getaway.

Several programs and events statewide can help you embrace the fun of winter, from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to Nordic walking and snowboarding. Best of all, some offer free or drastically reduced rates and attractive lodging options — in case your wallet over-imbibed over the holidays, too.

For details on any of these events or lodging packages, go to mywintertrails.com or contact the resorts.

Learn a New Snow Sport Month

If the cost of learning a new sport has stopped you cold, this deal eliminates that excuse. Through Jan. 31, participants can learn to cross-county or downhill ski or snowboard, with lessons, equipment rentals and lift tickets all included in one low price. Nordic skiing is $20, downhill skiing is $30 and snowboarding is $40. More than 30 of the state’s ski resorts and trail areas are participating in this national program. In Michigan, it’s part of the Discover Michigan Skiing program and Learn to X-C Month.

“The beauty of this program is that at many of the ski areas, the kids can learn to downhill ski or snowboard while the parents go cross-country skiing,” said Susan Wilcox Olson, Great Lakes Winter Trails Council spokesperson. “Or someone could downhill ski part of the day and learn to cross-country ski later in the afternoon.”

Courtesy photoSkiers pause to enjoy the view atop a Nordic ski trail at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs. The Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls each have 35 kilometers of Nordic Trails.

Pure Michigan Trail Days, Jan. 8-9

This program provides a free trail pass and lesson to participants who are new to cross-country skiing. Participating ski areas include members of the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council, which include Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville, Garland Lodge & Resort in Gaylord, Hanson Hills near Grayling, Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon and Corsair Ski Trails in Tawas. All of these areas provide groomed trails, so no need to forge an unbroken path in the woods — heck, even Robert Frost took the road less traveled, not one completely untraveled.

Both Boynes and Hanson Hills each have 35-kilometer, and Timber Ridge joins the popular VASA route. Crystal has 40K (about 24 miles). All five have trails ranging from beginner to expert. For the weekend event, most of the ski areas will have bonfires and hot drinks, some will arrange fun courses to maneuver, still others will serve ski fare, such as spicy brisket.

Silver Streak Week, Jan. 10-14

Ages 55 and older receive free cross-county trail passes all week at several participating properties. No preregistration is required.

White Pine Stampede, Feb. 5

If you start today and you’re really ambitious, you’ll have a month to train for this annual Michigan Cup race. It starts in Mancelona and travels a hilly course through the wooded forests and ends at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire. There are 10K, 20K and 50K loops. Info: whitepinestampede.org, 231-587-8812.

Women’s Winter Tour, Feb. 5-6

If you’re not into competitive events, check out the 13th annual celebration of women, winter, wine and chocolate at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville.

“This event is about all fun and sharing, and (Nordic) skiing is such a great weight-bearing sport,” said Kaye Krapohl, founder of the Women’s Winter Tour, which is always held on Super Bowl Sunday. “And anyone can do it, you don’t need to be an athlete.”

The weekend of events, benefiting charities that deal with domestic violence (and raising nearly $100,000 since its inception), includes:

The Snowshoe d’Art, a snowshoe hike through the Michigan Legacy Art Park on Feb. 5 at Crystal. 10 a.m.-noon. Cost is $10 in advance, $15 day of the event.

LunaFest Film Festival, an evening of films created by women for women, also on Feb. 5. 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at door.

The Women’s Tour, a non-competitive Nordic ski event, on Feb. 6, that runs varying distances for varying abilities. Food stations will be set up along the route, and there’s a tent with music and food. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost is $35 adults in advance, $45 at door. ($30-$40 seniors and ages 13-17; $10 ages 11 and younger). Details and registration: womenswintertour.com, 231-929-7775. Lodging reservations: crystalmountain.com

Winter Feast Adventure Weekend, Feb. 25 and 27

Sponsored by the Nordic Ski Council recreation areas, the gourmet, two-day event features fine food, trailside.

Items include lake trout at Garland Resort, Cajun caper at Cross-Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, trailside and apres-ski pasta dishes at Treetops Resort, gourmet soups and s’mores at Timber Ridge and beer and brats at Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain.

Bring along man’s best friend

Something new at Boyne Mountain and Highlands are pet-friendly snowshoe trails and hotel accommodations.

Boyne Highlands snowshoe-only trail departs from the Cross Country Center and heads toward open terrain before leading into an area of mature spruce and pine hardwoods. The lower trail is nearly 5K, and the upper trail is 3.2K. Info: 231-526-3000, ext. 3029.
Boyne Mountain has 3.5K of snowshoe-only trails through hardwoods and pines. Info: 231-549-6000, ext. 6088. Daily snowshoe rentals are $15 adults, $8 ages 8 and younger. Info: boyne.com.

Treetops Resort in Gaylord has a ski and sleep package that includes one night’s lodging, skiing and hot breakfast, starting at $79 per person, per night. Info: treetops.com. Nordic skiing is free at Crystal with all overnight stays. Info: crystalmountain.com. All have downhill and cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals.